Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the written statement made on 30 June 2026, HCWS166), on the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation, whether funding available to NHS Trusts to upgrade facilities will be ringfenced to (a) maternity departments, (b) gynaecology departments, (c) early pregnancy units and (d) neonatal departments.

We are investing £271 million in schemes relating to improvements in the safety of maternity and neonatal wards. This is on top of £9 million already invested in bereavement suites, so that grieving families have a private, respectful environment for dealing with the loss of a baby. The £271 million is not ringfenced as it is part of the Estates Safety Fund.

We are bringing together recommendations from Baroness Amos’ investigation, the Thirlwall Inquiry and Donna Ockenden’s Nottingham review into a national action plan to drive sustained improvement across maternity and neonatal care. The National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, chaired by my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, will oversee its development ahead of publication by the end of the year, holding every service to the highest standards.